Earlier this week (19 March), Alupro brought together influential political figures from across Wales to discuss how best to further accelerate national progress towards achieving a truly circular economy in 2025. Kindly sponsored by Mike Hedges MS, the expert panel discussion took place at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.
Chaired by Ruth Mosalski, political editor at Wales Online, speakers included Huw Irranca-Davies MS, deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs; Janet Finch-Saunders MS, shadow cabinet secretary for climate change and environment; Mike Hedges MS, member of the Senedd climate, nature and wellbeing cross party group; Owen Derbyshire, chief executive officer of Keep Wales Tidy; and Tom Giddings, executive director of Alupro.
Alongside opening up discussions surrounding best practice policy design, the session celebrated national recycling successes, explored possible strategies to accelerate circular economy thinking and profiled aluminium as a critical packaging material for delivering upon future sustainability ambitions.
Commenting on the event, Giddings said: “Hosting leading politicians from across Wales in an intimate panel environment was an absolute privilege. As well as discussing the importance of upcoming policy design, it provided a valuable platform to gather input, share insight and collate ideas to further accelerate positive momentum towards embracing a truly circular economy.
“As a global leader in both commercial and residential recycling, Wales has amazing potential to lead by example when it comes to future-focused circular economy strategies. However, continued support and agreement across parties is paramount. Events like this are important to share valuable ideas and insight, as well as to encourage innovative thinking and creative problem solving.
“When it comes to best practice policy design, we’re very clear on our calls for the Welsh government – in particular when it comes to EPR. We believe that ongoing support for consumer education and behavioural change initiatives will prove essential to maximising the scheme’s performance and efficacy. What’s more, the Welsh government should encourage local authorities to ringfence EPR funds to improve packaging recycling and hit their mandatory targets.”
With members spanning the entire supply chain, Alupro acts as the voice of the aluminium packaging industry on issues of government policy and legislative development. For more information about Alupro, or its work to fulfil the industry’s obligation to meet, and exceed, recycling targets for aluminium packaging, visit https://alupro.org.uk/.